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<strong>Baku</strong>
salam<br />
hello<br />
Contents:<br />
Travel to <strong>Baku</strong> 2<br />
UNESCO heritage 8<br />
Top 10 sites for history hunters 14<br />
Enjoy arts and culture 16<br />
Experience nature 20<br />
For families 24<br />
For body and soul 26<br />
Restaurants28<br />
Shopping32<br />
Nightlife34<br />
Let’s celebrate 36<br />
Plan your trip 38<br />
Welcome to <strong>Baku</strong> – a truly contemporary city crisscrossed<br />
by history. Here, you will discover a constantly<br />
evolving tapestry of life and energy from bazaar to<br />
penthouse.<br />
1
TRAVEL TO BAKU<br />
eternal flames<br />
the city of winds<br />
From the modern elegance of the<br />
Flame Towers standing proudly<br />
above to the medieval UNESCO World<br />
Heritage Site at its core, there is<br />
something for everyone in our stunning<br />
capital.<br />
Highland Park<br />
This is one of the most popular strolling spots in the city,<br />
offering spectacular views and photo opportunities of the<br />
Seaside Boulevard, the <strong>Baku</strong> Bay, Flame Towers and the<br />
entire downtown area. The Highland Park Cafe, located<br />
here, is a great place to relax and soak up the atmosphere<br />
accompanied by calming lounge music. Evenings are the<br />
best time to visit as you will be able to enjoy the city’s<br />
unparalleled vistas that magically light up after dark. What’s<br />
more, it’s easy to get here from the Boulevard via a modern<br />
funicular taking just four minutes (Tue – Sun, 1 AZN), though<br />
many prefer the slow and scenic route on foot up 178 steps.<br />
View from the Highland Park<br />
2 3
TRAVEL TO BAKU<br />
TRAVEL TO BAKU<br />
Being a coastal city, <strong>Baku</strong> is intrinsically open-minded and hospitable. Guests are<br />
welcome to stroll along the Caspian promenade (the Boulevard), visit the Old <strong>City</strong> known<br />
as Icherisheher, and take in the charms of the winding city streets. Travel to <strong>Baku</strong> to<br />
experience the following and more:<br />
Old <strong>City</strong><br />
Walk along the narrow,<br />
cobbled streets of<br />
Icherisheher.<br />
page 8 – 11<br />
Mud volcanoes<br />
Don’t miss the mud<br />
volcanoes, one of<br />
Azerbaijan’s top natural<br />
wonders.<br />
page 22<br />
Carpet Museum<br />
Culture geeks can<br />
easily find the<br />
museum due to its<br />
unique shape like a<br />
rolled-up rug.<br />
page 18<br />
Ferris Wheel<br />
Hop on one of the<br />
yellow trains to the<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> Eye with great<br />
views of the city and<br />
the Caspian.<br />
page 21<br />
Flame Towers<br />
Dominating the<br />
skyline of <strong>Baku</strong> these<br />
skyscrapers are over<br />
30 storeys tall and light<br />
up at night with a fire<br />
display visible from<br />
anywhere in the city.<br />
page 3<br />
Yarat Contemporary<br />
Art Space<br />
A former shipyard warehouse<br />
converted into a creative<br />
space hosting workshops,<br />
exhibitions and theatre<br />
performances by local and<br />
international artists.<br />
page 18<br />
Gala Archaeological and<br />
Ethnographic Museum<br />
Learn about the<br />
Absheron’s ancient<br />
settlements.<br />
page 14<br />
Zira Eco Park<br />
Here you can enjoy<br />
the local culture and<br />
escape to a green<br />
oasis.<br />
Absheron Castles and fortresses<br />
Built by the Shirvanshah dynasty,<br />
these medieval castles hark<br />
back to one of the region’s most<br />
prosperous ages.<br />
page 14<br />
page 23<br />
Fountains Square<br />
& Nizami Street<br />
Stroll along the city<br />
centre’s pedestrian<br />
streets surrounded by<br />
historic 19 th -century<br />
buildings constructed in<br />
art nouveau and baroque<br />
styles.<br />
page 15<br />
Gobustan<br />
This UNESCO World<br />
Heritage site has more<br />
than 6,000 mysterious<br />
petroglyphs dating<br />
back 40,000 years.<br />
page 12<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> Boulevard<br />
Feel the fresh Caspian<br />
breeze and take a<br />
gondola ride in Little<br />
Venice.<br />
page 20 – 21<br />
Highland Park<br />
Take a ride in<br />
the Funicular to<br />
Highland Park<br />
for one of the<br />
best views over<br />
the city, as well<br />
as the iconic<br />
Flame Towers.<br />
page 3<br />
Heydar Aliyev Centre<br />
The award-winning<br />
building designed by<br />
Iraqi-British architect<br />
Zaha Hadid hosts<br />
several permanent and<br />
temporary exhibitions.<br />
page 17<br />
Museum of Modern Art<br />
The museum’s 800<br />
works include those by<br />
Azerbaijan’s greatest<br />
avant-garde artists.<br />
page 18<br />
Ateshgah – Fire<br />
Temple & Yanardag –<br />
Burning Mountain<br />
These two locations<br />
are connected<br />
with ancient fire<br />
worshipping.<br />
page 15<br />
Absheron National Park<br />
Nature lovers should find<br />
time to explore here the<br />
unspoilt nature of the<br />
Absheron Peninsula.<br />
page 23<br />
Karting<br />
Live out your<br />
Formula 1 fantasies<br />
on Azerbaijan’s<br />
best karting track.<br />
page 25<br />
Relaxation<br />
and spas<br />
Head back<br />
to the city to<br />
rejuvenate mind,<br />
body and soul<br />
at traditional<br />
hammams or<br />
state-of-the-art<br />
spa centres. You<br />
can also enjoy<br />
local beaches<br />
and waterparks.<br />
page 23, 25 – 27<br />
4<br />
5
TRAVEL TO BAKU<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> enjoys all the mystique of being an ancient Silk Road port but can just as easily serve<br />
as a well-organised modern transport hub that dominates the eastern Caucasus region.<br />
With great transport links to the rest of the world, over 20 operating airlines and more than<br />
50 direct flights to various destinations across the globe, our capital city can always stay<br />
connected.<br />
RUSSIA<br />
Asad Ahmadov str.<br />
INSHATCHILAR<br />
20 YANVAR<br />
Abdulvahab Salamzade str.<br />
Shafayet Mehdiyev str.<br />
Tbilisi ave.<br />
Izmir str.<br />
Akademik Hasan Aliyev str.<br />
Samad Vurgun str.<br />
Azadlig ave.<br />
GANJLIK<br />
17<br />
Ganjlik<br />
Mall<br />
Tebriz str.<br />
Khatai ave.<br />
Yusif Safarov str.<br />
Heydar Aliyev<br />
Centre<br />
Babek ave.<br />
Murtuza Mukhtarov str.<br />
GEORGIA<br />
28 MAY<br />
16<br />
KHATAI<br />
Metbuat ave.<br />
Abdulla Shaig str.<br />
Bulbul ave.<br />
Nariman Narimanov ave.<br />
ARMENIA<br />
<strong>Baku</strong><br />
ELMLER<br />
AKADEMIYASI<br />
14<br />
NIZAMI<br />
Azerbaijan<br />
Drama Theatre<br />
Shamil Azizbeyov str.<br />
Fizuli str.<br />
Shamsi Badalbeyli str.<br />
Azadlig ave.<br />
28<br />
Mall<br />
15<br />
28 MAY<br />
Azadliq<br />
Square<br />
Port <strong>Baku</strong><br />
Mall<br />
TURKEY<br />
AZERBAIJAN<br />
CASPIAN<br />
Qanligol<br />
SEALake<br />
Parliament ave.<br />
ICHERISHEHER Old <strong>City</strong><br />
9<br />
8<br />
11<br />
Fountains<br />
Square<br />
10<br />
7<br />
13<br />
Puppet<br />
Theatre<br />
12<br />
SAHIL<br />
Boulevard<br />
Neftchilar ave.<br />
Park Bulvar<br />
Mall<br />
IRAN<br />
4<br />
5<br />
5<br />
6<br />
CASPIAN SEA<br />
3<br />
Ferris<br />
Wheel<br />
Mikayil Mushviq str.<br />
Azerbaijan’s vision of developing<br />
excellent domestic and international<br />
transport infrastructure is epitomised<br />
at Heydar Aliyev International Airport.<br />
This aesthetic delight of great<br />
architectural ingenuity has even been<br />
recognised as the best airport in the<br />
CIS for both facilities and service. From<br />
here, new multilane highways mean<br />
that you can reach the city by car in<br />
barely 25 minutes.<br />
Air links are especially frequent to<br />
European, Turkish, CIS and Middle-<br />
Eastern destinations, with some direct<br />
flights to as far as Beijing.<br />
By plane<br />
<strong>Baku</strong>’s main gateway, Heydar<br />
Aliyev International Airport,<br />
is situated just 25 km from<br />
the city centre, and is served<br />
by major airlines including<br />
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL),<br />
Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines,<br />
Lufthansa and Qatar Airways,<br />
Emirates, Fly Dubai, among<br />
many others. There are two<br />
terminals, so check your flight<br />
details carefully in advance.<br />
By train<br />
Overnight direct trains are<br />
available from Russia, Georgia<br />
and Ukraine on a regular basis.<br />
The <strong>Baku</strong>-Tbilisi-Kars railway<br />
perfectly connects Azerbaijan<br />
and Georgia to Turkish and<br />
European railway networks.<br />
By car<br />
Azerbaijan’s transport<br />
infrastructure has enjoyed<br />
massive investment in<br />
recent years. The country is<br />
connected to Russia, Iran and<br />
Georgia. The route from <strong>Baku</strong><br />
to Tbilisi can also offer an easy<br />
and very picturesque journey<br />
between the Azerbaijani and<br />
Georgian capitals via the<br />
historic cities of Shamakhi and<br />
Sheki.<br />
By ferry<br />
Direct routes connect <strong>Baku</strong><br />
via the Caspian Sea with<br />
Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan)<br />
and Aktau (Kazakhstan). Boats<br />
depart from <strong>Baku</strong> Port in Alat,<br />
70 km south of the capital.<br />
National Flag Square<br />
Yarat Centre<br />
Highland Park<br />
Flame Towers<br />
Funicular<br />
Carpet Museum<br />
Little Venice<br />
Neftchilar ave.<br />
National Art Museum<br />
Philharmonic Hall<br />
Maiden Tower<br />
2<br />
1<br />
1 8 15<br />
2 9 16<br />
3 10 17<br />
4 11<br />
5 12<br />
6 13<br />
7 14<br />
Shirvanshahs’ Palace Complex<br />
The Museum Centre<br />
Azerbaijan History Museum<br />
Central Park<br />
Church of the Saviour<br />
Museum of Modern Art<br />
Yashil Bazaar<br />
Metro<br />
Theatres<br />
Shopping Malls<br />
Tourist Info Points<br />
Central Post Office<br />
Central Railway Station<br />
Central Bus Station<br />
6<br />
7
UNESCO HERITAGE<br />
soak up<br />
<strong>Baku</strong>’s history<br />
Wandering through Icherisheher<br />
(Old <strong>City</strong>), a UNESCO World<br />
Heritage site whose walls<br />
whisper the ancient mysteries of<br />
the city, don’t be afraid to get<br />
lost in its labyrinth of cobbled<br />
streets. These may seem jumbled<br />
to unfamiliar eyes but in fact<br />
they serve historically strategic<br />
purposes: these alleyways take<br />
you to the main landmarks of<br />
the city – the Maiden Tower,<br />
old mosques and hammams,<br />
and the Shirvanshahs’ Palace.<br />
A climb to rooftop cafes and<br />
bars rewards couples with<br />
panoramic views of the city,<br />
the <strong>Baku</strong> Bay and spellbinding<br />
sunsets. Treat yourself to some<br />
traditional Azerbaijani cuisine in<br />
the restaurants nestled within<br />
the Old <strong>City</strong>.<br />
Don’t miss peering inside<br />
the Maiden Tower, a muchloved<br />
symbol of the city and<br />
Azerbaijan. It looms dark and<br />
enigmatic, looking out to<br />
sea from the southern edge<br />
of Icherisheher. The origins<br />
of the tower are shrouded in<br />
mystery – no-one knows for<br />
certain when it was built or what<br />
for, or even how it acquired its<br />
name – Maiden Tower. From an<br />
aerial view it resembles a buta<br />
(paisley pattern), a symbolic<br />
ornament of Azerbaijan. One<br />
theory says it could be a temple<br />
of Zoroastrianism, as the buta<br />
is a symbol of fire. Later, in<br />
the 12 th century, it was used<br />
as a defensive fortress by the<br />
Shirvanshahs, and in 2000, it was<br />
inscribed on UNESCO’s World<br />
Heritage List.<br />
Occupying the highest spot in<br />
the Old <strong>City</strong>, the Shirvanshahs’<br />
Palace is the former home<br />
of the Shirvanshahs. It was<br />
constructed between the<br />
12 th –14 th centuries and is not only<br />
a timeless example of medieval<br />
Islamic architecture but also a<br />
contemporary museum. A few<br />
doors down from here, call into<br />
the Museum of Miniature Books<br />
(free entrance), which entered<br />
the Guinness Book of Records<br />
for housing the world’s largest<br />
collection of miniature books<br />
(some 5,600). After this, pause<br />
by the nearby monument to<br />
Aliagha Vahid, one of <strong>Baku</strong>’s<br />
most celebrated poets. If you<br />
are not a fan of statues, don’t<br />
rush, just look closely and you will<br />
notice lots of interesting details<br />
speaking of his life and works.<br />
8
UNESCO HERITAGE<br />
UNESCO HERITAGE<br />
Besides its wealth of<br />
historical hotspots, <strong>Baku</strong>’s<br />
Old <strong>City</strong> is also packed<br />
with studios and galleries,<br />
handicrafts and house<br />
museums, and it’s even<br />
home to one of the city’s<br />
most popular theatres.<br />
Icherisheher Centre for<br />
Traditional Arts<br />
A joint project between the<br />
Icherisheher State Historical and<br />
Architectural Reserve and The<br />
Prince’s School of Traditional<br />
Arts, Icherisheher Centre for<br />
Traditional Arts offers short<br />
courses and masterclasses in<br />
ceramic painting and pottery<br />
catering for all ages, individuals<br />
and groups. Handmade<br />
traditional souvenirs and<br />
kelaghai headscarves can also<br />
be purchased here.<br />
Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 18:00<br />
Sat - Sun, 11:00 – 20:00<br />
19 Boyuk Qala str.<br />
Free entrance<br />
House Museum of Tahir Salahov<br />
A master of Soviet Realist<br />
portrait, landscape and stilllife<br />
paintings, Tahir Salahov is<br />
a world-renowned artist who<br />
sensitively captures the rhythms<br />
of life. At his former residence you<br />
can admire a decent collection<br />
of his works, alongside Stalin-era<br />
carpets and photos of the artist<br />
meeting global celebrities.<br />
Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 18:00<br />
55/3 Ilyas Efendiev str.<br />
4 AZN<br />
Vagif Mustafazadeh House<br />
Museum<br />
Dedicated to legendary jazz pianist<br />
Vagif Mustafazadeh, this museum<br />
could be a revelation for visitors<br />
wishing to discover the city’s rich jazz<br />
history as well as the origins of a local<br />
genre called jazz-mugham.<br />
Tue – Sun, 10:00 – 18:00<br />
4 Mustafazadeh str.<br />
1 AZN<br />
Qiz Qalasi Gallery<br />
Known also as the Q Gallery, Qiz<br />
Qalasi Gallery holds numerous<br />
exhibitions, curatorial projects,<br />
student contests and even<br />
international festivals. The<br />
gallery’s expositions mostly focus<br />
on modern art inspired by local<br />
folklore and traditions.<br />
Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 19:00<br />
Sat - Sun, 11:30 – 19:00<br />
8 Qulle str.<br />
Free entrance<br />
ARTIM art gallery<br />
ARTIM Project Space supports<br />
young local and foreign art<br />
practitioners by providing<br />
opportunities to curate and<br />
present their work in exhibitions.<br />
There’s also a great view from<br />
the roof which is not to be<br />
missed.<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> Marionette Theatre<br />
This is something of a hidden<br />
gem. The theatre season<br />
usually starts in early October<br />
and continues till the end of<br />
June. So far two plays by great<br />
Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir<br />
Hajibeyli have been staged:<br />
Arshin Mal Alan and Leyli &<br />
Majnun. Tickets can be obtained<br />
online and at kiosks in the city<br />
centre.<br />
28 Kichik Qala str.<br />
Ali Shamsi Studio<br />
Another place to call into is the<br />
Ali Shamsi Studio, a wonderland<br />
of paintings and installations<br />
that transport you to another<br />
dimension. You will often find the<br />
artist and philosopher Ali Shamsi<br />
there and happy to talk you<br />
through the city’s art scene.<br />
NUR Art House<br />
Visitors to the contemporary<br />
NUR Art House gallery can learn<br />
about traditional Azerbaijani<br />
handicrafts at the permanent<br />
exhibition, while temporary<br />
exhibitions examine life and<br />
happenings in Azerbaijan<br />
and abroad through photos,<br />
paintings and performances.<br />
Every day, 11:00 – 19:00<br />
27 Qesr str.<br />
Free entrance<br />
Sacred Relics at Baylar Mosque<br />
Built in 1895, Baylar Mosque is<br />
the last mosque to have been<br />
constructed in Icherisheher.<br />
Inside it houses a permanent<br />
exhibition called Sacred Relics, a<br />
collection of over 70 Qurans from<br />
different periods and different<br />
Azerbaijani regions.<br />
Tue – Sun, 12:00 – 20:00<br />
5 Kichik Qala str.<br />
Free entrance<br />
Every day, 10:00 – 19:00<br />
83 Kichik Qala str.<br />
Free entrance<br />
Every day, 09:00 – 18:00<br />
47 Ilyas Afandiyev str.<br />
Free entrance<br />
10<br />
11
UNESCO HERITAGE<br />
The Gobustan State Reserve is<br />
located in the eastern part of<br />
Azerbaijan, among the Boyukdash,<br />
Kichikdash and Jingirdagh Mountains.<br />
The reserve at Gobustan includes<br />
an outstanding collection of more<br />
than 6,000 rock engravings bearing<br />
testimony to 40,000 years of rock art.<br />
The site also features the remains<br />
of inhabited caves, settlements and<br />
burials, all reflecting intensive human<br />
use by the inhabitants of the area<br />
betwee the Upper Palaeolithic and<br />
the Middle Ages.<br />
adventures among<br />
the rocks of Gobustan<br />
The well-known Norwegian explorer and<br />
traveller Thor Heyerdahl, who repeatedly<br />
visited Azerbaijan, after studying the<br />
Gobustan petroglyphs came to a<br />
sensational conclusion about the kinship<br />
of Norwegians and Azerbaijanis. He<br />
discovered the similarity between the ships<br />
depicted on the rocks and those used by<br />
the Vikings, and concluded that the Vikings<br />
had migrated to Norway from here.<br />
Tours of the site, which covers an area of<br />
537 hectares, begin at the state-of-the-art<br />
Gobustan Museum. Personal, group or even<br />
jeep tours are available.<br />
Every day, 10:00 – 17:00<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> city, Garadag district, Gobustan settlement<br />
+994 12 544 6627<br />
10 AZN<br />
gobustan-rockart.az<br />
Distance from <strong>Baku</strong> city centre to Gobustan:<br />
56 km / 35 mi / 1 hr by car<br />
How to get to Gobustan:<br />
by by bus number 195 from Lokbatan to<br />
Gobustan settlement and from there by taxi;<br />
by <strong>Baku</strong> <strong>City</strong> Tours buses (see page 39);<br />
by private car or taxi;<br />
by group or personal tours with tourism<br />
agencies.<br />
12<br />
13
TOP 10 SITES FOR HISTORY HUNTERS<br />
from fire-worshipping temples<br />
to oil-boom architecture<br />
Gobustan<br />
From prehistoric rock art to<br />
musical stones, the Azerbaijani<br />
people’s age-old past is<br />
brought dramatically to life in<br />
the Gobustan Reserve, where<br />
an astonishing collection of over<br />
6,000 ancient petroglyphs chart<br />
ways of life dating back 40,000<br />
years.<br />
Old <strong>City</strong><br />
<strong>Baku</strong>’s medieval core is a<br />
UNESCO-protected site<br />
surrounded by 12 th -century<br />
walls, brimming with history<br />
and Eastern architecture. Here<br />
you will find top attractions,<br />
the Maiden Tower and the<br />
Shirvanshahs’ Palace, as well as<br />
a labyrinth of narrow alleyways<br />
home to <strong>Baku</strong>’s oldest residents,<br />
artists’ workshops, and<br />
traditional restaurants serving<br />
classic Azerbaijani dishes.<br />
The National History Museum<br />
of Azerbaijan<br />
Located in the former<br />
residence of famous oil<br />
magnate and philanthropist<br />
Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev, the<br />
National History Museum of<br />
Azerbaijan showcases our<br />
fascinating history from its very<br />
beginnings to the Azerbaijan<br />
Democratic Republic (1918-1920).<br />
Besides offering an insight into<br />
Azerbaijani national identity,<br />
the museum showcases the<br />
key people and events to have<br />
shaped the country’s history.<br />
Tue – Sun, 10:00 – 18:00<br />
4 Haji Zeynalabdin Tagiyev str.<br />
+994 12 493 2387<br />
Gala Archaeological and<br />
Ethnographic Museum<br />
Located 40 km from <strong>Baku</strong>,<br />
Gala village is an openair<br />
archaeological and<br />
ethnographic museum that<br />
brings to life a typical medieval<br />
settlement of the Absheron<br />
Peninsula. The reconstructed<br />
village has five mosques, three<br />
hammams, over 170 houses,<br />
vaults, mausoleums and castle<br />
ruins. Beyond its authentic<br />
medieval atmosphere, the<br />
complex also houses several<br />
museums containing tools<br />
and weapons found during<br />
archaeological excavations, as<br />
well as a collection of over 150<br />
samovars!<br />
Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 19:00;<br />
Sat, Sun, 10:00 – 19:00<br />
17 Sulh str., Qala village<br />
+994 12 439 1437<br />
12 AZN<br />
Absheron Castles<br />
Scattered around the northern<br />
coast of the Absheron<br />
Peninsula, a network of<br />
medieval fortress towers were<br />
built for defensive purposes<br />
between the 12 th and 16 th<br />
centuries during the reign of<br />
the Shirvanshahs. Two of them<br />
have been restored and are<br />
great off-the-beaten-track<br />
attractions hiding in <strong>Baku</strong>’s<br />
outskirts. The one in the village<br />
of Mardakan dates back to the<br />
12 th century. Climb to the top for<br />
superb views of the Caspian<br />
Sea! The other, a 14 th -century<br />
castle in the village of Ramana,<br />
sits scenically atop a hill looking<br />
out over <strong>Baku</strong>’s oilfields.<br />
Ateshgah<br />
<strong>Baku</strong>’s extraordinary landscape,<br />
rich in oil and subterranean<br />
gases, has intrigued travellers<br />
since time immemorial and for<br />
centuries the Ateshgah Fire<br />
Temple in the village of Surakhani<br />
has been attracting crowds of<br />
thrill seekers. Built in the 17 th -<br />
18 th centuries around naturally<br />
burning flames previously<br />
worshipped by Zoroastrians,<br />
fire-worshipping Hindus made<br />
pilgrimages to the site until the<br />
1880s. Today it houses a welldesigned<br />
museum.<br />
Mon – Thu, Sun 10:00 – 20:00;<br />
Fri, Sat 10:00 – 22:00<br />
Atamoglan Rzayev str.<br />
+994 12 452 4407, +994 12 565 1288<br />
4 AZN<br />
Yanardag<br />
Less than a 20-minute drive<br />
away from Ateshgah, in<br />
Memmedli village a 10-metre<br />
wall of flames rises from a hill<br />
known as Yanardag. The natural<br />
flames were described by<br />
Marco Polo in the 13 th century<br />
and continue to mesmerise<br />
those who visit the site. Today<br />
you can learn all about it at the<br />
new onsite museum.<br />
Depending on the season:<br />
Sun – Thu, 10:00 – 18:00 (20:00);<br />
Fri, Sat, 10:00 – 19:00 (21:00)<br />
Memmedli village<br />
+994 51 229 6019<br />
9 AZN<br />
Oil-boom architecture<br />
When <strong>Baku</strong>’s oil industry<br />
boomed in the late 1800s,<br />
a new architectural layer<br />
appeared around the Old<br />
<strong>City</strong>. Blending everything from<br />
Gothic to baroque, neoclassical<br />
and art nouveau, these<br />
buildings nonetheless blended<br />
harmoniously into the urban<br />
landscape, leading visitors to<br />
nickname <strong>Baku</strong> the “Paris of<br />
the Caucasus”. However, after<br />
the Soviets arrived in 1920 the<br />
mansions were nationalised,<br />
their secrets and stories<br />
remaining hidden until after<br />
independence. Since then<br />
local enthusiasts have shaped<br />
them into thrilling architectural<br />
walking tours. Look out for<br />
the Seadet Sarayi (Palace of<br />
Happiness), <strong>Baku</strong> <strong>City</strong> Hall and<br />
Ismailiyya Palace in particular.<br />
German heritage<br />
German architects made<br />
a special contribution to<br />
developing <strong>Baku</strong>’s unique<br />
architectural style at the turn<br />
of the 20 th century. The most<br />
prominent of them was the<br />
city mayor from 1889-1902,<br />
Nikolaus von der Nonne,<br />
under whom many of <strong>Baku</strong>’s<br />
beautiful historical buildings<br />
and parks were created,<br />
including the <strong>Baku</strong> Boulevard.<br />
In total, German architects<br />
constructed 60 beautiful<br />
buildings in <strong>Baku</strong>. The Church of<br />
the Saviour Lutheran church on<br />
28 May Street is one of the most<br />
enduring. It’s currently used as a<br />
concert hall and houses a pipe<br />
organ. Every Sunday services<br />
are also held here. The entrance<br />
to the church is free.<br />
Bibi-Heybat Mosque<br />
One of our greatest Islamic<br />
monuments, the Bibi-Heybat<br />
Mosque is a reconstruction of<br />
a 13 th -century mosque built<br />
in honour of the sister of the<br />
7th Shiite Imam, Ali. Sadly, the<br />
original was destroyed in 1936<br />
during Stalin’s campaign to<br />
ban religious worship, but it<br />
remained so deeply ingrained in<br />
local people’s hearts and minds<br />
that it was quickly restored after<br />
independence. Apart from its<br />
amazing history and legends,<br />
Bibi-Heybat Mosque is also a<br />
great example of the Shirvan<br />
architectural school and a<br />
major spiritual centre for local<br />
Muslims.<br />
Every day, 03:00 – 23:00<br />
Salyan highway, Bibi-Heybat str.<br />
+994 12 581 4525<br />
Free entrance<br />
TOP 10 SITES FOR HISTORY HUNTERS<br />
14<br />
15
ENJOY ARTS & CULTURE<br />
modern art<br />
vibrant culture<br />
World-famous architect Zaha Hadid<br />
designed the crown jewel in our<br />
modern architecture – the Heydar<br />
Aliyev Centre – and not a single<br />
straight line was used in its design.<br />
The Carpet Museum, situated on<br />
the Seaside Boulevard, is another<br />
modern architectural wonder: it’s<br />
shaped like a rolled-up rug! But <strong>Baku</strong><br />
is much more than its innovative<br />
architecture. Enjoy the first opera<br />
and ballet in the oriental world in<br />
the Opera and Ballet theatre, visit<br />
contemporary galleries and discover<br />
unique museum collections.<br />
Heydar Aliyev Centre<br />
Designed by the illustrious architect Zaha<br />
Hadid, this is one of <strong>Baku</strong>’s most iconic<br />
landmarks. Its shape is characterised by<br />
its astonishing flowing, curved style, but<br />
besides its extraordinary appearance it<br />
houses some of the best art curations<br />
in the city. There are four massive floors<br />
dedicated to art and culture alongside<br />
full-fledged museum exhibitions. The<br />
Miniatures of Azerbaijan exhibition will<br />
take you on a tour through all of our<br />
main sightseeing spots, while Pearls<br />
of Azerbaijan showcases our country’s<br />
unique culture and traditions.<br />
Tue – Fri, 11:00 – 18:00<br />
Sat - Sun 11:00 – 17:00<br />
1 Heydar Aliyev ave.<br />
+994 12 505 6001<br />
15 AZN<br />
16 17
ENJOY ARTS & CULTURE<br />
ENJOY ARTS & CULTURE<br />
National Art Museum<br />
of Azerbaijan<br />
The home of Azerbaijani<br />
classical fine arts also<br />
houses masterpieces<br />
from Turkey, Iran, Japan,<br />
China, Russia and Western<br />
European countries. And the<br />
museum’s dual buildings<br />
themselves are historic<br />
monuments dating back<br />
to the 19 th century. Named<br />
after Rovshan Mustafayev,<br />
author of over 100 articles<br />
in law and human rights,<br />
the museum meticulously<br />
chronicles items from the 4 th<br />
millennium BC to the present<br />
day. Over 17,000 artefacts<br />
can be savoured from<br />
painted ceramics, copper<br />
and bronze engraved<br />
wares, ancient carpets<br />
and jewellery. There’s<br />
also works of Azerbaijani<br />
miniature-painters of the<br />
15 th – 16 th centuries, as well as<br />
paintings and sculptures by<br />
contemporary artists.<br />
Tue – Sun, 10:00 – 18:00<br />
9/11 Niyazi str.<br />
+994 12 492 0707<br />
10 AZN<br />
Museum of Modern Art<br />
<strong>Baku</strong>’s Museum of Modern<br />
Art has a collection of over<br />
800 pieces, most of which<br />
are avant-garde in nature<br />
and represent our brightest<br />
painters and sculptors of the<br />
last 70 years. You can admire<br />
the works of artists such<br />
as Rasim Babayev, Ashraf<br />
Murad and Fazil Najafov,<br />
who came of age in the<br />
1960s and 1970s with their<br />
paintings and sculptures<br />
inspired by the landscapes<br />
and colours of the Absheron.<br />
The contemporary building<br />
is open and spacious and<br />
includes a children’s art<br />
room, library, video room,<br />
restaurant and art cafe.<br />
Tue – Sun, 11:00 – 20:00<br />
5 Yusif Safarov str.<br />
+994 12 490 8402<br />
5 AZN<br />
YARAT Contemporary Art<br />
Space<br />
YARAT Studios is the city’s<br />
leading creative hub<br />
for contemporary art.<br />
Yarat means ‘creation’ in<br />
Azerbaijani and creativity<br />
is exactly what the space<br />
oozes, regularly hosting<br />
world-class exhibitions,<br />
as well as workshops and<br />
talks featuring talented<br />
local artists and filmmakers<br />
that YARAT showcases and<br />
promotes across the region.<br />
The studio has become<br />
an epicentre for emerging<br />
Azerbaijani artists and<br />
creatives.<br />
Tue – Sun, 11:00 – 20:00<br />
New Boulevard, National Flag<br />
Square<br />
+994 12 505 1414<br />
Free entrance<br />
Carpet Museum<br />
The world’s largest collection<br />
of Azerbaijani carpets is<br />
exhibited in the Azerbaijan<br />
Carpet Museum, which at<br />
the time of establishment<br />
was the only museum in the<br />
world dedicated to the art<br />
of carpet weaving. Carpets<br />
occupy a preeminent place<br />
among all the examples of<br />
Azerbaijani craftsmanship<br />
and in 2010 the Azerbaijani<br />
carpet was proclaimed a<br />
Masterpiece of Intangible<br />
Heritage by UNESCO. Step<br />
inside the amazing rugshaped<br />
building, situated<br />
on the Seaside Boulevard,<br />
to discover the secrets of<br />
Azerbaijani carpet weaving.<br />
Tue – Fri, 10:00 – 18:00<br />
Sat – Sun, 10:00 – 20:00<br />
28, Mikayil Huseynov str.<br />
+994 12 497 2057<br />
7 AZN<br />
Azerbaijan State Academic<br />
Opera and Ballet Theatre<br />
This imposing building<br />
on Nizami Street blends<br />
elements of baroque, rococo<br />
and Moorish styles. Built<br />
by the enterprising Mailov<br />
brothers in 1911, the building<br />
has an intriguing tale as it<br />
was built after one of the<br />
brothers had fallen for a<br />
touring soprano singer who<br />
refused to return to <strong>Baku</strong><br />
because it didn’t have a<br />
proper opera theatre. So<br />
with the help of talented<br />
architect Nikolai Babayev,<br />
the brothers created the<br />
Opera and Ballet Theatre in<br />
an astonishing 10 months.<br />
Today, you can watch classic<br />
Azerbaijani masterpieces<br />
here such as Leyli and<br />
Majnun, Shah Ismayil, Arshin<br />
Mal Alan and Koroglu, plus a<br />
selection of foreign operas<br />
and ballets.<br />
113 Nizami str.<br />
+994 12 493 3188, +994 12 493 1651<br />
Azerbaijan State Academic<br />
Philharmonic Hall<br />
This exquisite pale-yellow<br />
building in Governor’s<br />
Gardens was inspired by<br />
the Monte Carlo Casino<br />
and is symbolic from both<br />
architectural and cultural<br />
points of view. Constructed<br />
in 1910-1912 at the height of<br />
<strong>Baku</strong>’s oil boom, its original<br />
use was as a summer venue<br />
for social gatherings of<br />
the city’s elite. After the<br />
Revolution it began to host<br />
local musical ensembles<br />
and orchestras and in 1936<br />
it became home to the<br />
philharmonic society. Today,<br />
concerts continue to be<br />
held on a regular basis,<br />
meaning this is the top spot<br />
for getting to grips with<br />
Azerbaijani national and<br />
classical music.<br />
10 Istiqlaliyyat str.<br />
+994 12 497 3609<br />
The Museum Centre<br />
The Museum Centre opened<br />
in 1960 as the <strong>Baku</strong> branch<br />
of the Moscow Lenin<br />
Museum and was once a<br />
major centre for promoting<br />
Leninism in Azerbaijan.<br />
Today the four floors of this<br />
palatial building opposite<br />
the Boulevard house several<br />
small permanent museums<br />
dedicated to music, theatre<br />
and independence, as<br />
well as an art gallery<br />
with regularly changing<br />
exhibitions.<br />
Tue – Sun, 10:00 – 18:00<br />
49 Neftchiler ave.<br />
+994 12 493 7287<br />
7 AZN (each museum)<br />
Gazelli Art House<br />
Gazelli Art House is a<br />
commercial art organisation<br />
dedicated to providing<br />
a new setting for<br />
contemporary art whilst<br />
delivering the message<br />
of the finest international<br />
artists to a wide audience of<br />
both new and established<br />
collectors. The gallery<br />
invites individuals to engage<br />
with contemporary art on<br />
a deeper level through<br />
bespoke events - building on<br />
dialogues and relationships<br />
between artists, writers,<br />
specialists, students, and<br />
novices through exhibitions,<br />
talks, workshops and tours.<br />
Tue – Fri, 10:00 – 18:00<br />
Sat, 11:00 – 19:00<br />
Sun, 11:00 – 17:00<br />
93 Nizami street<br />
+994 12 498 1230<br />
Free entrance<br />
18 19
EXPERIENCE NATURE<br />
picturesque parks<br />
urban nature<br />
From national parks to new<br />
green spaces, 21 st -century<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> offers plenty of great<br />
options to escape the<br />
crowds and be at one<br />
with nature. You can stroll<br />
along the <strong>Baku</strong> Boulevard<br />
and enjoy the refreshing<br />
sea breeze, visit the mud<br />
volcanoes to witness one<br />
of nature’s mysteries, or<br />
unwind at a cultural oasis in<br />
the heart of the Absheron<br />
Peninsula.<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> Boulevard<br />
(National Park)<br />
There’s no better way to get a feel<br />
for <strong>Baku</strong>’s relaxed, Mediterranean<br />
atmosphere than by strolling the<br />
Boulevard, a sweep of Caspian<br />
waterfront promenade that<br />
forms a gentle arc past the whole<br />
length of the central city area. The<br />
whole sweep offers potentially<br />
hours of pleasant strolling with<br />
ever-changing views around the<br />
bay and back towards different<br />
sections of the city. It has national<br />
park status and year by year is<br />
being extended along the sea.<br />
If you get tired of walking, hop<br />
on one of the yellow trains to the<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> Eye, a giant Ferris Wheel<br />
with great views of the city and<br />
the Caspian, or explore the New<br />
Boulevard on two wheels – rent<br />
a bike and challenge yourself<br />
against the famous <strong>Baku</strong> winds. In<br />
the evening take a romantic short<br />
cruise around the <strong>Baku</strong> Bay and<br />
look back towards all the amazing<br />
lights along the waterfront.<br />
Tip: see <strong>Baku</strong> Boulevard at its<br />
best during the half-marathon<br />
that takes place in May. It starts<br />
on the Boulevard and finishes at<br />
the <strong>Baku</strong> Olympic Stadium.<br />
Don’t miss these great<br />
Instagram locations:<br />
The old trains near Elektra<br />
Hall and other post-industrial<br />
buildings on the New Boulevard<br />
highlight <strong>Baku</strong>’s oil-boom history<br />
and will take you back to the late<br />
19 th century. Photos from there<br />
will definitely get many likes.<br />
The top of the <strong>Baku</strong> Eye Ferris<br />
wheel offers unparalleled<br />
panoramic views of the city.<br />
Each cabin holds eight people<br />
and one loop takes between<br />
30 and 40 minutes.<br />
The pier near Mayak Restaurant<br />
on the new stretch of the<br />
Boulevard has fantastic views of<br />
the Flame Towers and <strong>Baku</strong> Eye.<br />
Little Venice presents serene<br />
scenes of gondolas floating<br />
gently along canals between<br />
islands and restaurants.<br />
A 10-minute ride costs 3 AZN for adults,<br />
2 AZN for children;<br />
one gondola fits four people.<br />
Working time: every day<br />
12:00 – 00:00.<br />
Head to the spot between<br />
the Carpet Museum and the<br />
Mugham Centre for an amazing<br />
view of the Flame Towers.<br />
Grab a photo of <strong>Baku</strong> and its<br />
bay from the Mirvari cruise ship.<br />
Working time: every day<br />
16:00 – 22:00;<br />
a ticket costs 5 AZN.<br />
20 21
EXPERIENCE NATURE<br />
Mud volcanoes<br />
Home to the world’s greatest<br />
concentration of mud volcanoes,<br />
the landscape around<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> might be described as<br />
messy, bubbling, and sometimes<br />
explosive. The country is<br />
thought to have over 350 mud<br />
volcanoes and while they never<br />
grow to the size of a normal<br />
volcano, topping out at<br />
around 10 km in diameter and<br />
700 m in height (among the<br />
largest mud volcanoes in the<br />
world are Boyuk Khanizadagh<br />
and Turaghai, both in Azerbaijan),<br />
they do occasionally get<br />
the chance to show off.<br />
Mud volcanoes occur where<br />
tectonic movement allows<br />
subterranean gases to escape<br />
to the surface. A few of these<br />
gas leaks are constantly on<br />
fire, shooting small perpetual<br />
flames into the air, and some<br />
believe that these perpetual<br />
flames are strongly connected<br />
to the appearance of<br />
Zoroastrianism in Azerbaijan<br />
about 2,000 years ago.<br />
Located a 1.5-hour drive from<br />
<strong>Baku</strong>, the mud volcanoes at<br />
Dashgil near the Gobustan<br />
Reserve are the most popular<br />
to visit due to their number and<br />
size.<br />
Entrance is free, however a short<br />
taxi ride from the Gobustan Reserve<br />
may cost about 20 AZN.<br />
Fireland vineyards<br />
Located in the northern part<br />
of the Absheron Peninsula<br />
between two salt lakes,<br />
Fireland Vineyards belonging<br />
to the Marandi Wine<br />
Company is an excellent<br />
half-day tour option for wine<br />
connoisseurs. Being extremely<br />
rich in minerals, the soil in this<br />
area lends a unique taste<br />
and aroma to the grape<br />
varieties grown here. You<br />
can come and enjoy the<br />
stunning vineyards, taste local<br />
wines and learn something<br />
new about winemaking in<br />
Azerbaijan.<br />
Absheron National Park<br />
The Absheron National<br />
Park is the last stretch of<br />
wilderness on the vast<br />
peninsula to the north<br />
of <strong>Baku</strong>. Occupying the<br />
easternmost point of<br />
Azerbaijan, it’s primarily a<br />
mecca for birds, but you<br />
might also see gazelles,<br />
sea snakes and, if you are<br />
exceedingly lucky, Caspian<br />
seals. It was to protect these<br />
small seals that a reserve<br />
was first established here in<br />
1969, although the seals that<br />
used to congregate regularly<br />
at the tip of the park have<br />
become increasingly rare<br />
over recent years. The park<br />
may appear unexciting at<br />
first glance, but hidden away<br />
within the steppe there’s<br />
actually plenty of life.<br />
Entrance costs 2 AZN.<br />
It is open every day at 09:00 –<br />
18:00.<br />
Zira Eco Park<br />
Escape the city at this<br />
green oasis which combines<br />
a contemporary cultural<br />
centre with an area of lush<br />
green space, amid the rocky<br />
steppes of the Absheron<br />
Peninsula. Located about<br />
30 minutes from the city, the<br />
two-floor centre allows kids<br />
to play chess, try their hand<br />
at languages, art and design,<br />
visit the carpet museum<br />
and cinema, while parents<br />
can enjoy the onsite cafe<br />
and browse the rich collection<br />
of exotic plants, flowers<br />
and trees. Meanwhile, outside<br />
you can cycle along special<br />
bike lanes, visit the mini-zoo,<br />
and take the kids to the<br />
state-of-the-art playground.<br />
Outside you can cycle along<br />
special bike lanes, visit the<br />
mini zoo, olive oil factory<br />
and state-of-the-art playground.<br />
If you are hungry,<br />
this is the perfect picnic spot,<br />
and the park even puts on<br />
qutab-making masterclasses.<br />
There is no entrance fee.<br />
It is open every day at 09:00 –<br />
18:00.<br />
Parks<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> boasts a number of<br />
parks dotted around the<br />
city. The oldest of them is<br />
the Philharmonic Garden<br />
located just outside the<br />
Old <strong>City</strong>. The newest is<br />
the fantastic Central Park<br />
which is a wonderful way to<br />
escape the urban hustle and<br />
bustle without leaving the<br />
city centre. These beautiful<br />
20 hectares of new green<br />
space, built on the site of<br />
one of the city’s oldest<br />
quarters, has completely<br />
altered the urban landscape<br />
– enjoy the fountains, cafes,<br />
playgrounds and great views<br />
just a 10-minute walk from<br />
Fountains Square and the<br />
Old <strong>City</strong>.<br />
Caspian beaches<br />
The shores of the Caspian<br />
Sea have plenty of excellent<br />
beach clubs to enjoy, from<br />
the Absheron Peninsula<br />
resorts easily reached from<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> to the water sports<br />
centre at Shuraabad. There,<br />
you will find the perfect<br />
conditions for learning to<br />
kitesurf on the scenic lagoon<br />
and once you’ve mastered<br />
the basics you can take your<br />
board out into the open<br />
Caspian. Both professionals<br />
and amateurs can take<br />
windsurfing sessions at some<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> beaches. However, if<br />
it’s tranquillity and romance<br />
you are seeking, make<br />
your way to less crowded<br />
beaches such as Bilgah,<br />
Mardakan, Nardaran,<br />
Pirshagi and Zagulba.<br />
22 23
FOR FAMILIES<br />
FOR FAMILIES<br />
activities to savour<br />
unforgettable holidays<br />
Rest assured that while visiting <strong>Baku</strong>, you’re in safe<br />
hands. The city is praised for its low level of petty<br />
crime, allowing you to easily explore and discover with<br />
minimal concerns. What’s more, in addition to its green<br />
spaces and nearby national parks, a growing number<br />
of sites in <strong>Baku</strong> and its surrounds offer unforgettable<br />
activities and adventures for all the family.<br />
Horse riding<br />
Riding and polo are the<br />
perfect sports to let off some<br />
steam, keep in shape, and<br />
get in touch with some of<br />
Azerbaijan’s most beautiful<br />
animals — horses. Everyone<br />
and anyone is welcome<br />
to join amateur polo<br />
competitions or take a ride<br />
across Bina’s 26-hectare<br />
riding centre near the<br />
capital. Alternatively, head<br />
to the Omar and Gunay<br />
equestrian centres to<br />
enjoy more horse riding<br />
opportunities in <strong>Baku</strong>.<br />
Waterparks<br />
Swimming is not the only way<br />
to experience the Caspian<br />
seaside. The city is home to<br />
several waterparks dotted<br />
around the northern coast of<br />
the Absheron between the<br />
villages of Mardakan and<br />
Novkhani. Between them,<br />
Dalga Beach, Amburan<br />
Beach Club, Bilgah Beach<br />
Hotel and AF Hotel and<br />
Aqua Park have a great<br />
selection of pools and slides,<br />
as well as restaurants, bars,<br />
entertainment programmes<br />
and nightlife.<br />
Karting<br />
Want to get your adrenaline<br />
pumping without leaving<br />
the city centre? Located<br />
on the New Boulevard,<br />
Azerbaijan’s largest karting<br />
arena couldn’t be any more<br />
central. Whiz around the<br />
track head-to-head with<br />
your friends and family in<br />
super quick electric karts.<br />
Unleash your inner Michael<br />
Schumacher!<br />
Golf<br />
Golf may not be the first<br />
thing travellers associate<br />
with Azerbaijan but <strong>Baku</strong>’s<br />
Dreamland Golf Club is an<br />
18-hole course offering golf<br />
enthusiasts plenty of thrills,<br />
challenges and impressive<br />
landscapes. The course<br />
is scenic yet challenging<br />
and suited to golfers of all<br />
abilities. It spreads across<br />
330 hectares of <strong>Baku</strong>’s lush<br />
green suburbs, offering<br />
a unique Caucasian<br />
golfing experience with a<br />
Mediterranean feel. <strong>Baku</strong>’s<br />
famous winds present an<br />
added challenge!<br />
Kids entertainment<br />
Megafun is a massive<br />
entertainment centre in<br />
<strong>Baku</strong>’s contemporary White<br />
<strong>City</strong> district. It opened in<br />
2012 and has an overall<br />
area of 30,000 m 2 . The third<br />
floor, for kids, is separated<br />
into 17 geographical zones<br />
and offers over 200 arcade<br />
games, an ice rink and the<br />
biggest bowling complex<br />
in <strong>Baku</strong>, as well as cinemas,<br />
laser gaming, a Dinopark<br />
and much more. Adults can<br />
enjoy themselves at shops<br />
and boutiques located on<br />
the first floor while on the<br />
second floor the whole<br />
family can eat at one of a<br />
number of fast food outlets.<br />
More great entertainment<br />
for children is offered at the<br />
five Amburan Kids centres in<br />
<strong>Baku</strong>.<br />
24 25
FOR BODY & SOUL<br />
pure tranquillity<br />
oriental treatments<br />
FOR BODY & SOUL<br />
visiting<br />
local hammams<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> has always catered to mind, body<br />
and soul – the city’s old hammam culture<br />
is legendary, and several old public baths<br />
can still be visited. But today the city<br />
also boasts a series of excellent five-star<br />
hotels with soothing spas proposing a<br />
phenomenal range of treatments, relaxing<br />
therapies and good old-fashioned<br />
pampering.<br />
Gazelli Wellness Club<br />
Located in the city centre, Gazelli Wellness<br />
Club has a broad selection of soothing spa<br />
services ranging from detox to dermatology,<br />
plus physiotherapy and beauty treatments<br />
using Gazelli cosmetics. There’s also the unique<br />
opportunity to undergo Naftalan therapy and<br />
bathe in a rare type of crude oil used to treat<br />
over 70 diseases, including skin, musculoskeletal,<br />
gynaecological, urological and ENT conditions.<br />
93 Nizami str.<br />
+994 12 404 93 33<br />
Hammams in <strong>Baku</strong> were<br />
traditionally places to<br />
gather, relax and socialize.<br />
Few of the old ones remain,<br />
however centrally located<br />
Agha Mikayil, Akhund<br />
and Tezebay hammams<br />
are still visited by locals.<br />
Head to any of these for<br />
the essential Azerbaijani<br />
hammam experience,<br />
entailing completely<br />
immersing yourself in warm<br />
water, visiting the steam<br />
room and an all-over<br />
body scrub, which can be<br />
particularly relaxing during<br />
cooler months. All hammam<br />
procedures should be<br />
followed by a tea ceremony<br />
with friends.<br />
Tezebay Hammam<br />
Housed in a former oil-boom<br />
mansion, Tezebay was only<br />
converted into a hammam<br />
about 20 years ago. It’s<br />
eccentric, modern and a little<br />
more expensive, but offers a<br />
wider range of procedures and<br />
treatments.<br />
Every day, 09:00 – 23:00 (men’s and<br />
women’s hammams are located next<br />
door to each other)<br />
30 Sheikh Shamil str.<br />
+994 12 437 3444<br />
22 AZN<br />
Agha Zeynal Hammam<br />
Dating back to the late 19 th<br />
century, Agha Zeynal is a menonly<br />
hammam that rekindles a<br />
spirit of the past and offers all<br />
the traditional treatments.<br />
5 Saftar Quliyev str.<br />
+994 55 639 1999<br />
Men only<br />
13 AZN<br />
Agha Mikayil Hammam<br />
Built by a merchant from<br />
Shamakhi in the 18 th century,<br />
this is <strong>Baku</strong>’s oldest functioning<br />
hammam and it continues to<br />
conjure an authentic Eastern<br />
experience.<br />
Every day, 09:00 – 23:00 (women’s<br />
days on Mondays and Fridays)<br />
16 Kichik Qala str., Icherisheher<br />
+994 50 345 2144<br />
10 AZN<br />
Akhund Hammam<br />
Located behind Nizami metro<br />
station, this no-frills late 19 th -<br />
century hammam named in<br />
honour of a cleric who served at<br />
the nearby mosque offers a truly<br />
local experience.<br />
141 Murtuza Mukhtarov str.<br />
+994 12 595 2059<br />
Men only<br />
10 AZN<br />
26 27
RESTAURANTS<br />
where<br />
to eat<br />
Nakhchivan<br />
The best spot in the city to try traditional Nakhchivan<br />
cuisine. The real stars of the show are the wide range of<br />
perfectly spiced kebabs, the ornate Ordubad desserts,<br />
and the 15 varieties of mouthwatering pilafs.<br />
Every day, 12:00-00:00<br />
8A Parliament ave.<br />
+994 12 480 8585<br />
RESTAURANTS<br />
From traditional bistros serving local delicacies to chic<br />
Western-style restaurants, <strong>Baku</strong> offers diverse dining<br />
experiences to tickle all travellers’ taste buds. You will<br />
find plenty of places to sample the best of Azerbaijani<br />
cuisine, alongside a growing mix of popular international<br />
franchises, contemporary cafes, caravanerais, chocolate<br />
shops and steakhouses. Don’t miss relishing a traditional<br />
breakfast in Icherisheher, or soaking up the city’s Eastern<br />
charm while enjoying tea and shisha.<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> Expo Cafe<br />
Azerbaijan’s former national pavilion at Expo Milan 2015<br />
is a stylish restaurant with excellent, speedy service and<br />
a large selection of deliciously satisfying food.<br />
Every day, 12:00-00:00<br />
15 Akademik Ahad Yagubov str. (New Boulevard)<br />
+994 51 226 1111<br />
Chayki<br />
A family atmosphere on the Seaside Boulevard,<br />
complete with a large green garden and a menu that<br />
strikes the perfect balance between old and new.<br />
Mon-Fri, 12:00-00:00;<br />
Sat-Sun, 10:00-00:00<br />
24/1 Neftchilar ave.<br />
+994 12 504 6464<br />
Qaynana Restaurant<br />
Authentic Azerbaijani cuisine, atmosphere and<br />
hospitality – all at a reasonable price.<br />
Every day, 08:00-23:00<br />
126 Kichik Qala str., Icherisheher (Inner <strong>City</strong>)<br />
+994 70 434 0013<br />
Pakhlava<br />
A truly authentic tearoom that takes its name from our<br />
traditional sweet pastry. Not only do they offer a wide<br />
range of teas, but Pakhlava is also the perfect spot for<br />
shisha lovers.<br />
Every day, 12:00-02:00<br />
14 Khojali ave.<br />
+994 12 480 3223<br />
Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant<br />
A rare and unique experience: a museum-restaurant<br />
where you can enjoy live traditional music, get<br />
acquainted with all the tastes of traditional dishes, and<br />
marvel at the handmade arts and crafts – all produced<br />
by local masters!<br />
Every day, 12:00-23:00<br />
86 Salatin Asgerova str.<br />
+994 12 595 0901<br />
Sumakh<br />
Bask in the warm atmosphere and admire the exquisite<br />
and traditional interior, while award-winning chefs<br />
prepare some of Azerbaijan’s most colourful and classic<br />
dishes.<br />
Every day, 12:00-00:00<br />
20/22 Khojali ave.<br />
+994 12 480 2112<br />
Mangal Steak House<br />
A place offering 15 types of grilled steaks, and where<br />
gastronomical artwork is accompanied by superior<br />
service.<br />
Every day, 10:00 – 01:00<br />
3 Aydin Nasirov str.<br />
+994 12 505 1011<br />
28 29
RESTAURANTS<br />
RESTAURANTS<br />
Prive Steak Gallery<br />
Conveniently located near the Boulevard and Fountains<br />
Square, Prive is one of <strong>Baku</strong>’s best spots for meat lovers,<br />
offering everything from juicy steaks to classic beef burgers<br />
together with great service and a classy setting. There’s<br />
also live music, fine wines and plenty for vegetarians.<br />
Mon–Fri, 09:00–00:00;<br />
Sat–Sun, 09:00–21:00<br />
14/A Khagani str.<br />
+994 12 598 0555;<br />
+994 50 268 7338<br />
Cafe<strong>City</strong><br />
A chain of local cafes offering Azerbaijani and European<br />
cuisine as well as tea, cocktails and delicious desserts.<br />
Mon–Thu, 09:00–00:00;<br />
Fri–Sat, 09:00–02:00<br />
3 Islam Safarli str.; 112A Inshaatchilar ave.<br />
+994 50 598 8686;<br />
+994 50 436 7825<br />
Lviv Handmade Chocolate <strong>Baku</strong><br />
Head to the <strong>Baku</strong> branch of this famous Ukrainian<br />
chocolate shop for delicious Belgian chocolates, truffles<br />
and hot chocolate in the heart of <strong>Baku</strong>.<br />
Mon-Sat, 11:00-23:00;<br />
Sun, 11:00-00:00<br />
42A Yusif Mammadaliyev str.<br />
+994 50 555 0170<br />
Maharani Indian Restaurant<br />
This classy Indian restaurant near the central railway<br />
station combines superb food with an authentic<br />
ambience.<br />
Mon-Sat, 12:00-23:00;<br />
Sun, 11:00-23:00<br />
100A Shamsi Badalbeyli str.<br />
+994 70 311 1184<br />
Sahil Bar & Restaurant<br />
Conveniently located on the <strong>Baku</strong> Boulevard, Sahil<br />
Bar & Restaurant offers great Azerbaijani cuisine in<br />
a contemporary setting just metres away from the<br />
Caspian.<br />
Mon-Sat, 12:00 – 02:00;<br />
Sun, 10:00 - 02:00<br />
34 Neftchilar ave.<br />
+994 50 285 0022<br />
Mari Vanna <strong>Baku</strong><br />
The very popular Mari Vanna serves excellent Russian<br />
home cooking in a cosy interior that oozes nostalgia.<br />
Mon-Fri, 12:00-00:00;<br />
Sat-Sun, 10:00-00:00<br />
93 Zarifa Aliyeva str.<br />
+994 12 404 9595<br />
Sehirli Tendir<br />
Located in the heart of the Old <strong>City</strong>, Sehirli Tendir is<br />
popular among locals and tourists alike, especially for<br />
its traditional Azerbaijani breakfast served with hot<br />
tandir (tandoor) bread.<br />
Thu - Tue, 08:00-23:00;<br />
Wed, 08:00-17:00<br />
19 Kichik Qala str., Icherisheher (Inner city)<br />
+994 50 403 8888<br />
Scalini<br />
The buzzing atmosphere of this Italian restaurant at Port<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> Towers makes it a great place to relax and unwind<br />
with friends while enjoying fine wines and delicious<br />
pasta dishes.<br />
Every day, 12:00–23:00<br />
153 Neftchilar ave., Port <strong>Baku</strong> Tower<br />
+994 55 233 0000<br />
Syrovarnya <strong>Baku</strong><br />
A recently opened restaurant of famous restaurateur<br />
Arkadiy Novikov serving Italian and European cuisine.<br />
There is also an array of cheese-based dishes thanks<br />
to the onsite cheese factory (syrovarnya means ‘cheese<br />
factory’ in Russian). Don’t forget to reserve a table in<br />
advance.<br />
Mon – Thu, 12:00 – 00:00;<br />
Fri – Sun, 12:00 – 02:00<br />
2/4 Zarifa Aliyeva str.<br />
+994 12 525 00 25<br />
Paris Bistro<br />
With its lovely outdoor terrace in the shade of huge<br />
plane trees, Paris Bistro exudes the authentic feel and<br />
taste of a French cafe.<br />
Every day, 24 hours<br />
1/4 Zarifa Aliyeva str.<br />
+994 12 404 8215<br />
30 31
SHOPPING<br />
SHOPPING<br />
what<br />
to buy<br />
Every day hundreds of farmers bring fresh produce<br />
from the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains and<br />
everywhere in between to <strong>Baku</strong>’s bazaars. Stalls and<br />
shelves are bursting with all sorts of goodies: fruits,<br />
dried fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, spices,<br />
herbs, fish and caviar.<br />
Traditional souvenirs<br />
Azerbaijan has unique jewellery,<br />
homewares, and fashion to<br />
satisfy all your desires. If it’s<br />
timeless character and superb<br />
craftsmanship you are looking<br />
for, somewhere like Resm<br />
Jewellery is your answer. If you<br />
are left wanting more, dive into<br />
the Menzer Hajiyeva Showroom,<br />
and discover kelaghai – the<br />
vivid yet contemporary silk<br />
headscarves inspired by<br />
Azerbaijan’s rich history. If it<br />
is local handicrafts you are<br />
after, head to Chelebi, or the<br />
ABAD store in Icherisheher. For<br />
whatever you buy there, you will<br />
receive a numbered certificate<br />
allowing you to discover the<br />
story behind the craft on the<br />
ABAD <strong>website</strong>.<br />
Shopping malls<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> boasts several contemporary<br />
malls packed with<br />
international brands, as well<br />
as coffee shops, restaurants<br />
and entertainment centres.<br />
Housed in a state-of-the-art<br />
building within easy reach of<br />
the city centre, Ganjlik Mall is<br />
the country’s largest, with three<br />
spacious floors selling the best<br />
international brands, plus a<br />
vast cinema complex, bowling<br />
and kids’ area. Closer to the<br />
city centre, 28 Mall is a popular<br />
meeting and leisure spot a short<br />
walk from the Central Railway<br />
Station, and over in the business<br />
hub Port <strong>Baku</strong> Mall houses a<br />
wide range of high-end brands<br />
and several chic cafeterias.<br />
Several other smaller malls are<br />
located around the city.<br />
From luxury cars to watches,<br />
clothes, and cosmetics,<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> offers a myriad of<br />
options for anyone in search<br />
of some retail therapy. Take<br />
a stroll along Neftchilar<br />
Avenue, Nizami Street<br />
and around <strong>Baku</strong>’s stylish<br />
malls to explore upmarket<br />
boutiques and indulge in<br />
the latest fashion trends.<br />
But for a real Azerbaijani<br />
experience, lose yourself in<br />
the colour and bustle of a<br />
traditional bazaar, or visit<br />
the Old <strong>City</strong> to pick out<br />
your favourite antiques or<br />
traditional hand-woven<br />
carpet. Feel the spirit of the<br />
Silk Road!<br />
Sweet shops<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> is a wonderful place for<br />
anyone with a sweet tooth as<br />
delicious local desserts, cakes<br />
and sweets can be bought<br />
at local sweet shops all over<br />
the city. Our pakhlava and<br />
shekerbura make especially<br />
great souvenirs to take home<br />
- you can buy boxes of just<br />
one type of sweets or mix and<br />
match at places such as AZZA,<br />
VIVA and Sirr. Another great<br />
place to buy them is at small<br />
family-run pastry shops, where<br />
you can try them with a cup of<br />
aromatic tea.<br />
Every visit to the local bazaar is not just a shopping<br />
experience, but rather a journey into a world of<br />
aromas and tastes from the regions of Azerbaijan.<br />
Friendly, welcoming sellers will treat you as their<br />
guest, always inviting you to try before you buy. And<br />
don’t forget – haggling will help you save a few<br />
pennies for yet another round of tea and sweets.<br />
Besides traditional bazaars, you can find excellent<br />
local organic produce at competitive prices at the<br />
Kendden Shehere (meaning From Village to <strong>City</strong>)<br />
chain of markets.<br />
What to look out for in <strong>Baku</strong>’s bazaars:<br />
Saffron<br />
Among all the colourful<br />
herbs and spices wafting<br />
their mesmirizing scents<br />
around Azerbaijan’s bazaars,<br />
look out in particular for<br />
some of the world’s best<br />
fresh local saffron. This<br />
ruby red spice has been<br />
cultivated for centuries in<br />
the coastal village of Bilgah<br />
on the Absheron Peninsula<br />
and is used widely in cooking<br />
throughout the country. One<br />
gram may set you back 10<br />
AZN, but a single piece is<br />
enough to transform the<br />
colour and aroma of a<br />
traditional plov dish.<br />
Caviar<br />
With over 500 km of shoreline<br />
along the Caspian Sea,<br />
home to many species of<br />
sturgeon, Azerbaijan has<br />
long been a centre of caviar<br />
production. There used<br />
to be so much of it that<br />
black caviar on toast was a<br />
popular snack in the Soviet<br />
era, but in recent years<br />
overfishing has made it a rare<br />
and expensive delicacy. You<br />
can still find some, though, in<br />
our bazaars and fish markets.<br />
Pomegranates and feijoa<br />
We produce many<br />
mouthwatering fruits but<br />
the undisputed king is<br />
the pomegranate, which<br />
is grown all around the<br />
country, and especially<br />
in Goychay. This region is<br />
home to an astonishing<br />
70 different kinds, making<br />
it a fitting venue for the<br />
much-loved Pomegranate<br />
Festival that celebrates the<br />
annual late-autumn harvest.<br />
Pomegranates are everpresent<br />
in Azerbaijani cuisine<br />
– in sauces, juices, jams,<br />
and even wine. Another<br />
very popular fruit is feijoa,<br />
which is mainly grown in the<br />
subtropical areas of Masalli,<br />
Lankaran and Astara.<br />
Honey<br />
With its stunningly diverse<br />
landscapes and year-round<br />
sunshine, it should come<br />
as no real surprise that<br />
beekeeping is a thriving<br />
activity in the Azerbaijani<br />
countryside. Infused with the<br />
unique flora of the Caucasus<br />
and Talysh mountains, our<br />
honey is one of a kind -<br />
absolutely delicious!<br />
32 33
NIGHTLIFE<br />
NIGHTLIFE<br />
discover a city<br />
that dazzles by night<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> is a city of contrasts, colours and culture whirled<br />
together by the Caspian winds – the ideal spot for a<br />
vibrant nightlife! Not only is the capital city home to<br />
one of the biggest night clubs in the region, but the<br />
downtown area is brimming with bars and lounges<br />
which flawlessly fuse Eastern hospitality with a<br />
Western state of mind.<br />
With amazing restaurants, exquisite music, locally<br />
made wine and more, it’s the perfect combination for<br />
a romantic getaway.<br />
Dance<br />
Check out Enerji Club <strong>Baku</strong>,<br />
followed by Barrel for an<br />
incredible night out, or<br />
party until morning to the<br />
vibes of quality DJ music in<br />
BarDuck. The lively cocktail<br />
bar Hashtag also buzzes with<br />
DJ nights and jazz sessions<br />
while at the Pasifico lounge,<br />
inspired by the colours<br />
and textures of the deep<br />
rainforest, its exotic fauna and<br />
flora, you can embark on an<br />
exciting virtual journey along<br />
the coast of South America.<br />
Wine bars<br />
We’ve been making wine<br />
for thousands of years, the<br />
varied terrain of our wineries<br />
resulting in a myriad of<br />
bouquets and flavours. <strong>Baku</strong><br />
is alive with a smorgasbord<br />
of enticing drinking holes<br />
across all price ranges, most<br />
serving a range of local<br />
wines, while specialist wine<br />
bars such as KEFLI Local<br />
Wine & Snacks and Enoteca<br />
Meydan in <strong>Baku</strong>’s Old <strong>City</strong><br />
provide truly authentic wine<br />
experiences. PORT Wine &<br />
Grill and Saqi Wine Bar also<br />
welcome wine connoisseurs<br />
in the city centre. Mellow<br />
in the early evening, Room<br />
becomes increasingly lively<br />
as the night continues<br />
with good music (DJs<br />
possible) and great food to<br />
complement the fine wines.<br />
Pubs and bars<br />
The pubs and bars around<br />
Tarlan Abdullayev Street<br />
make this a great spot<br />
to truly experience our<br />
nightlife. Enjoy a sundowner<br />
after work on the outdoor<br />
terrace of Madrid Bar on the<br />
Seaside Boulevard during<br />
summer or chill here with<br />
friends at the weekend. And<br />
climb to the 25 th floor of the<br />
stylish Hilton <strong>Baku</strong> hotel to<br />
360 Bar, whose slow rotation<br />
gives ever-changing views<br />
of our capital. Don’t miss<br />
an opportunity to end the<br />
night on a high note at one<br />
of the many bars and clubs<br />
in <strong>Baku</strong>. For great local and<br />
craft beers, head to pubs<br />
like Beerbasha, Pivnaya<br />
Apteka, Paulaner and Crazy<br />
Bear.<br />
Jazz clubs<br />
Located away from the<br />
tourist crowds in the Old<br />
<strong>City</strong>, enjoy <strong>Baku</strong>’s thriving<br />
Jazz community in Moon<br />
Blue Jazz Club where local<br />
jazz plays almost every day.<br />
Exceptional food, innovative<br />
beverages and live nightly<br />
jazz make Fairmont <strong>Baku</strong><br />
Jazz Club another of <strong>Baku</strong>’s<br />
after-dark hot spots, while<br />
the celebrated annual<br />
Jazz Festival is a great<br />
opportunity to dive into the<br />
world of jazz at a variety of<br />
venues.<br />
More about wine bars at:<br />
azerbaijanwine.com<br />
34 35
LET’S CELEBRATE<br />
LET’S CELEBRATE<br />
enticing festivals<br />
year-round celebrations<br />
A cultural hotspot offering numerous exciting events,<br />
visit <strong>Baku</strong> for the many festivals, concerts, exhibitions<br />
and markets that really bring the city to life! From<br />
Christmas markets to carnivals and concerts, the<br />
calendar of events in our capital is packed with<br />
festive happenings.<br />
Novruz<br />
Our biggest holiday, Novruz,<br />
celebrates the beginning<br />
of spring and allows you to<br />
see Azerbaijani culture and<br />
traditions at their finest. A<br />
celebratory vibe can be felt<br />
across the city, with lots of<br />
music, dancing and dining.<br />
Festivities happen everywhere<br />
but Icherisheher is the<br />
main holiday hub – many<br />
of the best concerts, performances,<br />
exhibitions and<br />
markets take place here.<br />
Novruz is also a great time to<br />
enjoy <strong>Baku</strong>’s burgeoning art<br />
scene as traditional arts and<br />
crafts spill out onto the city’s<br />
streets.<br />
Christmas Market<br />
Every year the Christmas<br />
Market brings a fairy-tale<br />
atmosphere to Fountains<br />
Square. You will find some of<br />
the country’s most exciting<br />
national brands, as well as<br />
cosy cafes dishing up fine<br />
local and international cuisine<br />
in this charitable project,<br />
whose proceeds go towards<br />
treating disadvantaged<br />
children. There’s also a lively<br />
concert programme in the<br />
evenings and at weekends.<br />
Euro 2020<br />
Get ready for a summer<br />
festival of football. In June<br />
and July 2020 <strong>Baku</strong>’s stateof-the-art<br />
Olympic Stadium,<br />
the most spectacular<br />
stadium in the Caucasus,<br />
will play host to three group<br />
games and one quarterfinal<br />
of the 2020 UEFA European<br />
Football Championship. For<br />
the first time Europe’s flagship<br />
football tournament will<br />
be held across 12 European<br />
cities and <strong>Baku</strong> is proud to<br />
be among them!<br />
Jazz Festival<br />
Jazz first appeared here in<br />
the 1930s. Today many of<br />
the new wave of jazz musicians<br />
perform at the annual<br />
Jazz Festival, which takes<br />
place each October. Besides<br />
being the best place<br />
to discover the city’s rich jazz<br />
legacy, you can also enjoy<br />
workshops, exhibitions and<br />
performances by foreign jazz<br />
maestros.<br />
Shopping Festival<br />
The Shopping Festival<br />
attracts crowds of bargain<br />
hunters to <strong>Baku</strong>’s modern<br />
malls with generous sales<br />
on famous brands, as well<br />
as campaigns, games and<br />
fashion shows. The festival<br />
takes place for a month<br />
each spring and autumn.<br />
Azerbaijan Grand Prix<br />
The Grand Prix of Azerbaijan<br />
is the fastest street race in<br />
all of Formula 1. Since 2017,<br />
the race has been held on<br />
the <strong>Baku</strong> <strong>City</strong> Circuit. The<br />
length of the track is 6.003<br />
km, making this the second<br />
longest track in the Formula 1<br />
calendar, and speeds reach<br />
an incredible 360 km per<br />
hour. What’s more, fans can<br />
enjoy three nights of concerts<br />
by world stars during<br />
race weekend.<br />
Zhara Festival<br />
The Zhara International Music<br />
Festival is <strong>Baku</strong>’s hottest<br />
summer event and takes<br />
place right on the coast of<br />
the Caspian Sea. Welcoming<br />
famous artists and celebrities,<br />
the event always delivers<br />
amazing performances<br />
and parties not far from our<br />
spirited capital.<br />
36 37
PLAN YOUR TRIP<br />
explore <strong>Baku</strong><br />
the easy way!<br />
bakucard.az<br />
bakucard.az<br />
bakucard<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> Card<br />
<strong>Baku</strong>Card is <strong>Baku</strong>’s official city card, offering free and<br />
discounted services at all the main tourist landmarks, free<br />
public transportation, <strong>Baku</strong> <strong>City</strong> Tour hop-on hop-off tours,<br />
and even a guide book and map of the city. Cards are valid<br />
for 1, 3 or 7 days and can be purchased at the Heydar Aliyev<br />
International Airport as well as major hotels, tourism agencies,<br />
and tourist info points, or via bakucard.az.<br />
24 h – 24 AZN (12 EUR)<br />
72 h – 45 AZN (23 EUR)<br />
7 days – 70 AZN (35 EUR)<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> <strong>City</strong> Tour hop-on hop-off<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> <strong>City</strong> Tour’s hop-on hop-off bus offers a fast, convenient<br />
way to visit all of the city’s top attractions with a single 24-<br />
hour ticket. A key feature is the audio guide available in eight<br />
languages: Azerbaijani, Russian, English, German, French,<br />
Farsi, Italian and Japanese. Tickets include earphones for the<br />
audio guide, a city map displaying the bus route and plenty<br />
of additional information about <strong>Baku</strong>’s attractions. At each<br />
stop, the bus will stand for two or three minutes, giving time to<br />
snap a quick photo or two. Or you may hop off to get a fuller<br />
impression of the area and its attractions, hopping back on<br />
again when the next bus comes along, an hour later.<br />
Details:<br />
Tour duration: 1,5 hrs<br />
Total distance of route: 25 km<br />
Number of stops: 16<br />
Start point: Azadlig Square (next to Park Bulvar Mall) though<br />
you can also board the bus from any of the designated stops.<br />
Working hours: 10:00 – 19:00 daily (ticket is valid for 24 hours<br />
from the moment of purchase)<br />
Ateshgah & Yanardag Tour /<br />
Gobustan Tour<br />
Official group tours organized by <strong>Baku</strong> Tourism Information<br />
Center<br />
Details:<br />
Duration: 4 hrs<br />
Departures:<br />
Gobustan Tour – every day at 11:00<br />
Ateshgah & Yanardag Tour – every day at 15:00<br />
Tours include: transport, entrance tickets, tour guide service,<br />
fast-track entrance, bottled water<br />
Contact:<br />
info@salambaku.travel<br />
+994 12 498 12 44<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> Tourist Info Points<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> Tourist Info Points offer<br />
impartial advice to travellers,<br />
as well as free maps, useful<br />
leaflets and brochures of the<br />
city. They have also pioneered<br />
a series of tours to help visitors<br />
get the best out of the city<br />
and its intriguing surroundings.<br />
As well as the main tourist<br />
office, there are four tourist<br />
info points located around the<br />
city.<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> Tourism Information Center<br />
70 Uzeyir Hajibeyov str.<br />
+994 51 229 9833<br />
+994 12 498 1244<br />
Airport Tourist Info Point<br />
Heydar Aliyev International<br />
Airport (Terminal 1, Arrival Zone)<br />
+994 51 229 9831<br />
Nizami Tourist Info Point<br />
73 Nizami str.<br />
+994 51 229 9830<br />
Boulevard Tourist Info Point<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> Boulevard area<br />
(next to Park Bulvar AVM)<br />
+994 51 229 9832<br />
These tourist info points:<br />
• Provide impartial information<br />
about <strong>Baku</strong> including tips on<br />
sightseeing, cultural events,<br />
shopping, hotels, museums and<br />
transportation<br />
• Offer the possibility of organizing<br />
guided tours<br />
• Sell souvenirs, <strong>Baku</strong>Cards, tickets<br />
for cultural events and passes<br />
for hop-on hop-off bus tours<br />
info@salambaku.travel<br />
www.salambaku.travel<br />
38 39
PLAN YOUR TRIP<br />
salam<br />
Azerbaijan<br />
Country Size<br />
86, 600 km 2<br />
Country population<br />
10 million<br />
4 hrs<br />
Moscow<br />
4 hrs<br />
Minsk<br />
3 hrs<br />
Yekaterinburg<br />
Krasnoyarsk<br />
London<br />
Frankfurt<br />
2 hrs<br />
Kiev<br />
Paris<br />
Vienna<br />
Nur-Sultan<br />
1 hr<br />
Madrid<br />
Barcelona<br />
Rome<br />
Istanbul<br />
Ankara<br />
Tbilisi<br />
<strong>Baku</strong><br />
Aktau<br />
Tashkent<br />
Almaty<br />
5 hrs<br />
8 hrs<br />
Tehran<br />
Beijing<br />
Tel Aviv<br />
Cairo<br />
New Delhi<br />
Doha<br />
Dubai<br />
Riyadh<br />
Public transportation<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> is the only city in Azerbaijan<br />
with a metro system, which operates<br />
between 06:00 and 00:00. Stations,<br />
trains and facilities are clean and<br />
safe, with trains running every two –<br />
three minutes. There are two lines:<br />
the Red Line from Icherisheher to Hazi<br />
Aslanov, and the Green Line from<br />
Khatai to Darnagul.<br />
Buses are an inexpensive way to<br />
travel in <strong>Baku</strong>. Bus schedules are<br />
generally available at bus stops. On<br />
the bus and <strong>Baku</strong> underground one<br />
journey costs 30 qepiks, taxis are also<br />
widely available as an alternative<br />
option.<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> has several licensed taxi firms.<br />
The most famous of them are <strong>Baku</strong><br />
Taxi Company and 189 taxi, while<br />
UBER and other taxi apps are also<br />
available.<br />
Visa<br />
For some nationalities visas are<br />
available upon arrival. For others<br />
e-visas can be obtained within<br />
3 days via evisa.gov.az. We advise<br />
you to check requirements before<br />
booking your trip.<br />
Language<br />
Our state language<br />
is Azerbaijani, which<br />
is similar to Turkish.<br />
Many people speak<br />
fluent Russian. In<br />
hotels, bars, shopping<br />
and business centres,<br />
English is also used.<br />
Money<br />
Our currency is the<br />
manat (AZN). Card<br />
payments are accepted<br />
at most shops<br />
and restaurants in the<br />
city. MasterCard/Visa<br />
ATMs are very widespread<br />
and readily<br />
available. Changing<br />
money back is no<br />
problem, and should<br />
be done at banks.<br />
Banks are usually<br />
open from 09:00 to<br />
18:00, however almost<br />
in all parts of the<br />
city centre and main<br />
tourist hubs money<br />
exchange spots work<br />
24 hours.<br />
Accommodation<br />
<strong>Baku</strong> has an excellent range<br />
of accommodation options<br />
throughout the city. From luxurious<br />
five-star hotels with Caspian<br />
Sea views to hostels and Airbnb<br />
rentals, there is something to meet<br />
everyone’s tastes and interests.<br />
Internet<br />
Most good hotels are fully equipped<br />
with Wi-Fi connection throughout,<br />
and big hotels will also have<br />
business centres with at least<br />
a few computers. Major hotels<br />
sometimes charge for Wi-Fi, but<br />
it’s free in dozens of cafes, parks<br />
and restaurants across <strong>Baku</strong> and<br />
beyond. Check for “<strong>Baku</strong> Loves<br />
You” signs in all parks to access to<br />
free Wi-Fi. Mobile phone providers<br />
offer relatively inexpensive dongles<br />
so that you can access the web<br />
through 4G mobile networks.<br />
Telephone<br />
There are 3 mobile operators<br />
in Azerbaijan: Azercell, Bakcell<br />
and Nar.<br />
The international dialling code for<br />
Azerbaijan is + 994, and 12 for <strong>Baku</strong>.<br />
40 41
azerbaijan.travel<br />
Azerbaijan.Travel<br />
experienceazerbaijan<br />
scan qr code to download the brochure<br />
Published by:<br />
Azerbaijan Tourism Board,<br />
96E Nizami Street,<br />
3rd floor, Landmark I<br />
<strong>Baku</strong>, AZ1010, Azerbaijan